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“What makes this scholarship special is that it considers students as whole people,” says Esmeralda, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council’s Student Support Specialist for the Reva and David Logan Foundation’s ‘In the Game,’ Scholarship for young womxn attending Kelly College Prep.
“Students applied to a wide range of schools,” Esmeralda shared.
Lake Forest College, Lewis University, Loyola University Chicago and New Orleans, “Northwestern University,” Esmeralda said. “School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Connecticut.”
…The University of Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin-Madison, even Toronto and Yale– to name a few.
“It is also forgiving when students make mistakes for the first time, giving them opportunities to correct those mistakes, learn from them, and grow. In this way, the Logan Scholarship stands out because it does more than provide financial assistance. It invests in students’ development, stability, and long-term success.”
An Expansion of Resources
Unlike most scholarships, In the Game scholarship has expanded itself beyond financial assistance to cover recipients’ reported needs regarding a wide range of everyday demands, like figuring out where to buy food outside of the university system, finding affordable and accessible health services regardless of student insurance, an additional budget for books, tech; and other necessary supplies.
Awarded students also gain access to a database of resources such as tutoring, grocery stores, and other transitional needs, specific to their zip code.
“This has strengthened the program’s ability to connect students with relevant resources based on where they live and what they may need.”
This year the scholarship was expanded from awarding six to seven students, to eight students– three more than the originally set limit of five in 2016. Students were also able to submit their award letters: their final remaining costs after financial aid, additional scholarships, and institutional grants. “This helped the committee better understand where financial gaps remained and allowed for more flexibility in how scholarship funds were distributed, including the ability to split funding into smaller scholarships under the $2,500 minimum,” said Esmeralda.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Decision-Making
Students were evaluated through the application based on self-awareness, motivation, leadership, academics, career and academic plans, and financial need, according to Esmeralda.
“The application also included more questions than in previous years,” Esmeralda shares. This was done intentionally to learn more about students’ financial situations, academic goals, and long-term plans. “Students are responsible for maintaining communication and scheduling their one-on-one meetings in order to remain eligible for the scholarship.”
After that, they’re off to the races.
This wrap-around, comprehensive care hasn’t always been the case though.
“At first, many students were hesitant to ask for support,” Esmeralda explained. Some students said they’d rather not take resources away from someone who might potentially need it more, while others simply felt uncomfortable asking for help in general.
“[Because of this] the Logan Scholars Program has evolved to become more student-centered.” Allowing students to be more open about their needs. “In my time as the Student Support Coordinator, special request budget funding has completely maxed out. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis.”
Staying in the Game
In addition to the maximum $20,000 an average recipient can expect, BPNC has also developed skill-building workshops and student reunions, called ‘Logan Reunions,’ as part of their support. In essence, a wheelhouse of social banisters and hands-on-tools for each student to come back to as they navigate these coming of age experiences for the first time.
“These opportunities help students build community, stay connected, and develop skills that support their academic and personal growth.”
Every year, the decision-making process is difficult because many students still have financial gaps, even after receiving scholarships, institutional grants, and state and federal financial aid– one of the very same reasons the Reva and Davis Logan Foundation first chose to expand the scholarship to the high school's female student body overall ten years ago, before it officially became a college preparatory school.
This year, more considerations were used to help break ties.
Past the written application, there was an interview process, a weighing of each student's award packages, as well as eligibility for such. Some students even had full rides, but still needed support covering indirect costs such as transportation, books, housing, and personal expenses.
For that reason, the financial portion of the review was based not only on cost, but also on the student’s ability to advocate for themselves in the application and provide enough documentation to clearly explain their financial situation.
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